SZA Explains Why Her New Role As Artistic Director For Vans 'Makes Sense'

SZA has made history as the first person to serve as the artistic director of Vans.

On Thursday, August 14, the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter announced she will lead the creative operations for the sneaker company. According to Vans' website, SZA will work with Vans to "reimagine upcoming campaigns and co-create exclusive product collections that fuse her unique vision with the brand’s creative and youthful spirit." The trailer for the SOS artist's debut collaboration illustrates her vision for the sneaker brand. It shows her rocking one of her favorite Vans sneakers, the Knu Skool in Black/White, along with behind-the-scenes concert footage.

“In Vans, I feel free!” SZA said. “I’ve been wearing Knu Skools and other styles for years, they’ve always had an ethos I connect with. As Artistic Director, my mission is to show that joy, community, creativity, and fashion are all still intersectional. That humanity, culture, and connection are still the access points.”

I’ve learned that bravery and curiosity are the cures for uncertainty, it’s a lifestyle and Vans champions that spirit," she added. "They stand where I stand, and I’m honored to invite a whole bunch of people to stand Off the Wall with us.❤️ "

SZA also opened up about her latest career move in a recent interview with Vogue. She said the collaboration "makes sense," but also credits her passion for skate culture.

“If you think about Vans and me, it makes so much sense,” she told the outlet. “I've always been about comfort and self-expression. I love feeling stable, sturdy—and also cute as f**k. Skate culture is so paramount [to Vans], but the ethos of skate culture is what I think is beautiful. There is a lot of perseverance, trying and failing—a community that loves to take risks.”

Watch the trailer for SZA's new collaboration with Vans below.